The Vikings surrendered the game tying home run in the seventh inning to Ventura first baseman Abrey Aguirre as the Vikings home game against the Pirates ended in a 6-6 tie after 12 innings.
The Vikings came into this game with an 11-4 record but are in the middle of a rough patch, losing 3 of their last 5 games after starting the season 9-1.
The Vikings wasted no time when it came to scoring due to catcher Zara Mineo hitting a solo homerun in the bottom of the first inning.
Mineo would tack on another RBI with a base hit to center field, giving the Vikings an early 2-0 lead.
“Just swing, just hit the ball. That’s what you know, that’s what you do best,” said Mineo when asked about her mentality during her first two at-bats.
Ventura went off for 3 runs in the top of the third after chasing starting pitcher Adalise Valenzuela out of the game.
However, the Vikings would respond with a 3 run inning of their own in the bottom of the third, thanks to a two RBI double by second baseman Haleigh Jacobs and a two RBI triple by left fielder Sienna Rievley.
Ventura would chip away at their deficit with a two run fifth inning and a game tying solo homerun by first baseman Aubrey Aguirre in the seventh.
What started off as an offensive slugfest, changed to a defensive struggle as neither team surrendered a run over the next 5 innings and ended the game in a 6-6 tie.
Though they didn’t win the game, head coach Megan Martinez had plenty of positives for her squad.
“I think this is a special group. I think they’re really good teammates. I think they pick each other up in a lot of ways. We had seven sac bunts and that’s being a good teammate. We pounded the strike zone after we made adjustments and so I think we’re in a good place. I don’t feel any sort of negative from today,” said Martinez
Rievley had her own thoughts about the team’s grit during the game.
“I think that it shows our fight and it will lead us to keep fighting, keep working harder, and just being closer as a team in general,” said Rievley.
The Vikings will play again against Cerritos at 2 p.m., March 17.
